Handball side handed Islington defeat

Maccabi GB’s handball side showed passion and spirit in their latest England Handball Association match, but up against an under-manned Islington side, still fell to a 20-goal margin defeat at Sporthouse as their lack of experience was once more highlighted. London Regional Division Two League Maccabi GB Handball 8 Islington Handball 28 Sunday, 19 October, […]

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Maccabi GB’s handball side showed passion and spirit in their latest England Handball Association match, but up against an under-manned Islington side, still fell to a 20-goal margin defeat at Sporthouse as their lack of experience was once more highlighted.

The side was a mostly-unchanged one from the last match against Ruislip. However, Tony Tropp returned for the absent Alex Elf, while player-manager Adam Goldsmith deputised as back.

MGB started the more positive side, stringing a number of passes and moves together which showed how far they had come since the club started only a few months ago. Shots from Dean Caplin and Tropp tested the Islington keeper and, although MGB’s opponents went ahead on three separate occasions, the tie was proving to be a close contest as two break-away goals saw Goldsmith grab a brace.

However, as the half went on, Islington’s goring runs through the middle of the court ended in a number of consecutive goals scored. MGB’ s defence was being opened up continually and even goals from Anthony Tropp, Liam Stein and Goldsmith were not enough to made their opponent’s heads drop.

After the interval, there was a repeat of MGB’s last two matches – where fatigue set in – and despite a number of attacking chances, there was no real cutting edge and the net was only bulging at the wrong end. Joey Carr, Adam Berg and debutant, Daniel Alexander were working hard to increase their side’s tally, but in the end, even goals from Dean Caplin and Tropp were not enough to put the Slingshot’s ‘goals for’ into double figures for this match. Islington continued their ruthlessness in front of goal and, thanks to heroics in goal from Joshua Pinhass – one an impressive penalty save – the score-line finished just short of 30.

Maccabi GB Handball could feel a little disappointed, considering their positive start, but each game is a learning curve and the heart shown by the players on the court will see them ultimately improve each week. Special mention must go to MGB Man of the Match, Daniel Sichel, who worked tirelessly in defence and sprayed the ball about in attack.

Maccabi GB Handball Club Coach, Tony Tropp, said: “The players looked a little deflated after the game, but that just goes to show how well they played in the first half! They have nothing to feel bad about as they are visibly improving each match and they have the courage and passion to get out on the court on go again.”